Calling an ambulance for a stranger- WWYD? (update #123)

I was walking up to the local suburban shopping strip this morning with DS2 in the pram. Around 100m ahead of us was an elderly lady (70s? 80s?) walking by herself in the same direction. She stumbled, fell forwards and didn't get up immediately. I ran up to her, by which time she was sitting awkwardly cradling her right arm. She appeared shocked, her face was scraped and bleeding slightly on one side where she had obviously impacted on the concrete.

After a couple of minutes I established her name, that she was going to the shops, fell forwards, tried to stop herself with her hand, but it gave way and her face hit the ground. Her shoulder felt sore and it hurt when she tried to move her arm. I was pretty sure she broke her collarbone and suggested that I call an ambulance.

She didn't want me to call an ambulance, she was quite insistent that I phone her daughter who lived a few minutes drive away. She didn't have her own mobile, so I found her address book in her handbag and used my mobile to phone her daughter. No answer on her mobile, her home number or her work number. I phoned all three again and left messages, my name, that I was with her Mum who fell over, that I think she has broken a collarbone and wanted to ring an ambulance but she wanted me to phone her first, please phone straight away. I SMSd her mobile with the same. I suggested againto the lady that we should call an ambulance and she was adamant her daughter would ring back. I gave it a couple of minutes, in which she didn't phone back. At this point I persuaded the lady that phoning an ambulance was the best thing to do, so I did. She wasn't overly happy with the situation

The paramedics obviously took her to hospital. She still couldn't move her arm without pain in the front of her shoulder. About 5minutes after the ambulance left, the daughter phoned my mobile. I explained I ended up phoning for the ambulance. The daughter was very unhappy with me. Her Mum doesn't have any form of private health cover, or ambulance cover and she said last time years ago they had to phone an ambulance for Mum, SHE got stuck with a bill for thousands. She threatened to send me the ambulance bill, said I had done the wrong thing, I should have waited for her to call, that she would have driven her to hospital herself. I ended up getting jack of this, DS2 was screaming in the background and I just hung up on her (not my finest moment). She phoned back and I ignored it.

What would you have done, EB? On foot, in public, no means of transport. Sure, I could have waited. Sure I could have knocked on the door of a house on the street, but what was I meant to do? Ask THEM to drive her to hospital? I still thinking ringing the ambulance was the best course of action.

This woman has tried to ring me back a couple of times this afternoon. So far, I have ignored her. I'm not sure if I am game enough yet to cop another tirade

I'm not sure what state you live in, but if it's QLD, then everyone is covered for ambulance transport as its paid through the electricity system. I'm pretty sure that in most states if you're a pensioner (which she probably is if she is in her 70s or 80s) you are also covered. Aside from that, it's a vital thing to have, so she should have learnt her lesson when she copped a bill last time!

Don't worry yourself about it. If she keeps ringing, then tell her to go worry about her mother and stop bothering you.

I wouldn't have called an ambulance, not unless I thought the woman's life was in danger. If I had a car, I would have driven the woman to the hospital. If I didn't have any transport I would have either 1) waited for the daughter to call or 2) called a taxi and taken the woman to the hospital that way.

You did the right thing, exactly what I would have done. You tried to get hold of the daughter and then had to make a judgment call. Good for you for involving yourself and making a decision. Perhaps teh daughter is trying to get hold of you to apologise or let you know how her Mum went? Benefit of the doubt...or maybe not. Abusing you is unacceptable, she should be ashamed.

This is why I am glad that Qld has the system it has, where everyone is covered automatically for ambulance. $ should never be the deciding factor as to whether to seek medical help, that's an awful situation to be in.

I would have done the same. What other option did you have really? Leave her there... Then I'm sure her daughter would have been even more angry if it turned out she had serious injuries and no one helped her!I might be wrong - I'm used to the UK system - but can't a person choose to not go with an ambulance even once it's turned up? Thereby not footing the bill. As I asked this question of my colleagues a while back, what if you don't have cover and someone else calls an ambulance. They all seemed to think you could elect not to go with them, and not be charged...Either way, I think you did the right thing, and I'd appreciate someone like you being around to help my mum in a similar situation, regardless of cost. You weren't to know their financial situation, and you did try the daughter first.

Not sure about the repeated calling (her to you). I would accept one of the calls but if it turns bad tell her you had her mum's best interests in mind and to either leave you alone or you'll call the police.

I believe I would have done exactly as you did. Who knows how long it might have taken the daughter to call back. Or even get there once she had called back. And you couldn't exactly leave her there on her own. If her mother is elderly and has required an ambulance before, perhaps they should ensure she has cover. They should be grateful to you for helping her, not hassling you about it.

I would have done exactly the same thing as you. She could have had a concussion, anything really, and being elderly...

The woman's daughter sounds awful

Also I thought people on health care cards don't get huge ambulance bills. And nobody is liable for another person's debt in this country, the daughter would not HAVE TO have paid anything. And nobody is going to lock up an old lady for an ambulance bill.

I know that with my DS hanging around waiting for a call from her daughter or driving her to the hospital myself would be very impractical. If I was by myself and had nothing pressing then I possibly would have thought about it and then dismissed the idea simply because of possible legal ramifications if you were to drive her and that somehow caused further injury.

She could have refused

If the daughter persists in ringing, I would send a text asking her to cease and desist contacting you, otherwise you will go to the cops and lodge a harrasment complaint.

If I had a car, I would have driven the woman to the hospital. If I didn't have any transport I would have either 1) waited for the daughter to call or 2) called a taxi and taken the woman to the hospital that way.

There is no way I would have done that. What if she went in to some sort of shock or had a heart attack on the way? You could bet the OP would then be facing a court case for not having called an ambulance in the first place.

You did the right thing and precisely this is recommended by the St. Johns ambulance course.

By the sounds of things, you also reduced her chance of secondary injuries caused by someone without the correct knowledge moving a victim with a possible bad break. I know of someone who attempted to move a victim to avoid paying an ambulance fee - and the break was a catastrophic pelvis shattering. Fortunately the police stopped the idiot before he could do (much) more damage.

It's a shame the daughter's a twit. It's a shame that if this is the SECOND time that ambulance cover hadn't been already arranged!

Firstly, how lovely that you came to the aid of this lady (with toddler in tow) and took it upon yourself to meet her request by phoning her daughter but ultimately calling for an ambulance. I would have done the same thing - no question about it. No doubt you provided her with much comfort during the wait for medical assistance.

The daughter's attitude is beyond appalling. Regardless of the financial stress the resultant ambulance bill may have, she should first express relief and gratitude that her mum is in the medical care she needs and deserves.

Her mum may be entitled to a subsidy on the service fee (or may not have to pay any of it) if she holds a pensioner / veterans / health care card - but I dont really know much about it.